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Today’s political headlines include May abandoning the Brexit vote, May confirming she will not revoke Article 50, Corbyn resisting pressure to hold a vote of no confidence and whips accused of doing too little too late. 

May abandons Brexit vote for further talks on the backstop
As The Times reports, yesterday Theresa May announced that she was deferring the vote on her Brexit deal, admitting she would have lost it by a ‘significant margin’. Instead, the Prime Minister is visiting European leaders in an attempt to secure further ‘reassurances’ about the Northern Ireland backstop. According to diplomats, the EU would be prepared to sign a ‘letter of intent’ promising to work to avoid the backstop coming into use.

May will not revoke Article 50
The Guardian reports that Theresa May has confirmed that she will not revoke Article 50, because doing so ‘would mean going back on the vote of the referendum’. Yesterday, the European Court of Justice ruled that the UK could revoke its notification without needing permission from the EU.

Corbyn resists pressure to hold vote of no confidence
The Financial Times says that Jeremy Corbyn is resisting pressure from Labour MPs, including 38 who signed a letter organised by Ian Murray, and other party leaders, such as Nicola Sturgeon who challenged him on Twitter yesterday, to table a vote of no confidence in Theresa May. The paper suggests this is because it would cause Labour’s ‘fudged’ Brexit policy to unravel, potentially forcing it to back another referendum.

Whips accused of doing ‘too little, too late’
The Times claims that Conservative whips have been accused of doing ‘too little, too late’ to ensure the support of Tory MPs for the deal. According to the paper, some backbenchers weren’t contacted until Saturday to find out how they’d be voting, despite Chief Whip Julian Smith promising to get support for the deal at a Cabinet meeting three weeks ago.

Bercow accuses May of being ‘deeply discourteous’
The Daily Express says that Commons Speaker John Bercow accused Theresa May of being ‘deeply discourteous’ for calling off today’s Brexit vote, suggesting that MPs should get to vote on the postponement although he admitted that it did not need to be put to the vote.

MP grabs mace in protest
The Mirror reports that Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle grabbed the House of Commons mace yesterday in protest at Theresa May’s decision to scrap the planned vote, which he said was ‘disgraceful’. He was then barred from the House for the rest of the day by the Speaker.

Stansted 15 convicted in ‘unprecedented crackdown in the right to protest’
The Guardian reports that the Stansted 15, protesters who took direct action against a deportation flight from the airport, have been convicted of terrorist offences introduced after Lockerbie, the first time these have been used against a non-violent protest. One activist said his conviction was an ‘unprecedented crackdown on the right to protest’.

Speaker could be investigated for bullying ‘within weeks’
According to The Sun, allegations of bullying against Commons Speaker John Bercow could be investigated ‘within weeks’ after the Commons Standards Committee called for a rule blocking the investigation of complaints which are over seven years old without its permission to be abandoned. MPs are expected to approve the change before Christmas, and Tory MP Andrew Bridgen has confirmed that he will then resubmit a complaint.

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Today’s political headlines include the potential postponing of the Brexit vote, UK can cancel Brexit unilaterally, May could face leadership battle this week and no-confidence in Theresa May. 

May considers postponing Brexit vote
The Daily Telegraph says that Theresa May has held ‘crisis talks’ with EU leaders while she considers whether to postpone Tuesday’s vote on the Brexit deal. According to the paper, ‘her closest allies’ still don’t know whether she intends to go ahead with the vote as planned. The paper adds that some ministers have discussed holding a referendum between May’s deal and a no-deal Brexit, with no option to remain.

UK can cancel Brexit unilaterally
The BBC reports that the European Court of Justice has ruled this morning that the UK could cancel Brexit without the permission of other EU nations. However, the decision would have to ‘follow a democratic process’, so Parliament would need to approve any such move.

May could face leadership battle this week
The Times reports that Theresa May could face a leadership battle. Boris Johnson has set out plans for a further negotiation with the EU, while Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt are apparently sounding out potential supporters. The Sun adds that Javid could launch his campaign this week, and has been recruiting supporters for the last fortnight, telling one ‘senior Tory’ that May will be forced out when her deal falls and he will then declare his candidacy immediately.

Labour and DUP discussing no confidence vote in Theresa May
The Daily Telegraph claims that Labour has been holding discussions with the DUP about tabling a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, in the hope of uniting opposing factions against her. The party is reportedly concerned that tabling a motion against the whole Government would instead unite the different Conservative factions.

Brexit deal criticised by MPs
The Financial Times says that the Commons Brexit Committee has criticised the Brexit deal, accusing the Government of avoiding ‘hard choices’ and not offering ‘sufficient clarity or certainty about the future’. The committee, consisting of both Brexiteers and Remainers, also claimed that the plan had ‘no realistic, long-term proposals’ for the Irish border.

Ministers to be obliged to seek better fishing deal
The Times reports that Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove is to announce a new legal obligation for ministers to seek a better deal for fishermen when they negotiate over rights after Brexit. The obligation is to be introduced as an amendment to the Fisheries Bill today.

£1bn bailout for Crossrail
According to the Financial Times, the Government is to announce a £1bn bailout for Crossrail, perhaps as soon as today. The paper also warns that the project may be delayed further, amid problems with software, testing and station construction, and may not be ready to open until late 2020.

Outsourcing firm seeks rescue deal
The BBC reports that Interserve, which is one of the largest providers of public services, is seeking a rescue deal. The firm is struggling with £500m of debt, but claims to be ‘making good progress’ on its long-term recovery plan, which will be announced in the new year.

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Today’s political headlines include the EU prepared to extend Article 50, May talking to colleagues about the backstop, Cabinet ministers call on May to postpone vote on deal and Gove to wind up the Brexit debate. 

EU would be prepared to extend Article 50, sources claim
The Daily Telegraph asserts that according to EU sources, the bloc would be prepared to extend the Article 50 negotiating period if MPs reject her Brexit deal, if this would avoid a no-deal Brexit. The paper adds that the Government’s legal advice, published yesterday, makes it clear that there would be different customs regimes in Northern Ireland and Great Britain under the backstop, while Number 10 has been discussing finding a way of giving MPs a veto over the backstop.

May ‘talking to colleagues’ about backstop
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, Theresa May said that she is ‘talking to colleagues’ about the Northern Ireland backstop, but that it was ‘an integral part of the withdrawal agreement’. However, she admitted that she was considering Parliament’s role in choosing to trigger it or a transition period extension.

Cabinet ministers call on May to postpone vote on deal
The Times says that some Cabinet ministers are trying to persuade Theresa May to postpone the vote on her Brexit deal amid fears that she is guaranteed to lose the vote, with Chief Whip Julian Smith claiming that many backbenchers are ‘beyond reason’. Some MPs from both the Government and opposition benches have been offered places on a cross-party committee, which will help direct the next stage of Brexit talks.

Gove to wind up Brexit debate
The Daily Telegraph claims that Michael Gove has been given the job of winding-up the debate on Theresa May’s Brexit deal, perhaps because he is felt more likely to persuade backbench Conservative MPs. Yesterday, Home Secretary Sajid Javid claimed that a no-deal Brexit would lead to ‘an immediate and probably indefinite loss of some security capability’.

Hammond tells MPs economic cost of Brexit is worth it
The Financial Times reports that Chancellor Philip Hammond told the Commons Treasury Committee yesterday that the economic cost of Theresa May’s Brexit deal was worth it in order to ensure that Brexit voters did not feel betrayed. MPs criticised him because the Government’s assessment did not model the exact deal agreed and it had not publishes analysis of Brexit’s short-term impact.

Home Office suspends controversial visas in bid to tackle organised crime
The Times says that the Home Office is suspending issuing ‘Tier 1’ investor visas as part of an attempt to tackle organised crime and money laundering. Existing applications will continue to be considered, but new applications will have to wait for planned reforms to be introduced.

Corbyn attacks Conservative MPs for using foodbanks as photo opportunities
The Mirror reports that Jeremy Corbyn used Prime Minister’s Questions to launch ‘a devastating tear down of the Government’s welfare policies’. The Labour leader told MPs that ‘foodbanks are not just a photo opportunity for Conservative MPs’ and accused the Government of being ‘in denial’ about the effect of Universal Credit.

Hinds argues that snobbery is holding back vocational education
The Sun says that Education Secretary Damian Hinds is to use a keynote speech on technical education to argue that A-levels and university should not be the default route, and to claim that ‘snobbery’ from parents is holding children back because not enough prestige has been attached to vocation education in British society.

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Today’s political headlines include the Government’s charge of contempt, Rees-Mogg clashing with the PM’s adviser, criticism of Grayling and Javid’s bullying. 

Government to face charge of contempt of Parliament
The Guardian reports that a senior minister may be suspended from the Commons after the Speaker approved the submission of an emergency motion accusing the Government of holding Parliament in contempt over its refusal to publish full legal advice on Brexit. Labour, the DUP, and four other opposition parties have tabled a motion to be voted on today ahead of the five-day debate on Theresa May’s Brexit agreement. The Conservatives have tabled an amendment referring the matter to the Commons Privileges Committee in an attempt to delay the process.

Rees-Mogg clashes with Prime Minister’s adviser
The Daily Telegraph reports on clashes between Oliver Robbins, Theresa May’s Europe Adviser, and Jacob Rees-Mogg at a committee evidence session yesterday. Robbins claimed that the Brexit backstop would be ‘uncomfortable’ for both the UK and the EU, while Rees-Mogg insisted that the EU had ‘got us exactly where they want us’. Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay got the UK’s date of departure from the EU wrong at the same session.

Report criticises Grayling over timetable changes
The Times says that the Commons Transport Committee has called on Chris Grayling to accept responsibility for the failure of rail timetables over the summer, concluding that he was at ‘the apex’ of the railway system and had the power to prevent changes. The committee found he ought to have been ‘more proactive’, but decision-making in his department sometimes ‘simply did not exist’.

Javid’s bully identified
The Daily Telegraph identifies a Royal Navy veteran as the boy who bullied Home Secretary Sajid Javid at school and apologised to him decades later, as Sajid Javid recalled recently when speaking about the case of a Syrian refugee being bullied at a Huddersfield school.

Lords criticises HMRC’s approach to tax avoidance
The Financial Times carries details of a report by the Lords Economic Affairs Committee, which find that HMRC’s approach to dealing with tax avoidance is aggressive, disproportionate and undermines the rule of law. It recommends a full review of HMRC’s powers and criticises Treasury minister Mel Stride for refusing to give evidence.

Legal challenge against voter ID trial
The Guardian claims that a legal challenge could prevent the second stage of the trial of photo ID for elections from going ahead. A case, backed by Labour, is expected to focus that the Government acted beyond the scope of the law by using secondary legislation to order the trial.

Truss suggests Javid should prepare to challenge May
According to the Daily Mail, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss, was overheard by a Green Party candidate suggesting that Sajid Javid needed to prepare for a leadership challenge against Theresa May, that Jeremy Hunt was another candidate and a ‘game-player’, and that May was a ‘pacifist’ at managing people. Truss has not commented on the alleged remarks.

Not enough scientific evidence to support energy drink ban, MPs conclude
The Sun reports that the Commons Science and Technology Committee has concluded that there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support the Government’s proposed ban on energy drink sales to under-18s, but that broader concerns, such as the experience of teachers and pupils, meant that such a ban could be justified.

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Today’s political headlines include Brexit adviser warned May against customs backstop, DUP threatens to withdraw support, former attorney general rejects Government’s legal advice position, Labour would table vote of confidence if Commons rejects deal. 

Brexit adviser warned May against customs backstop
The Daily Telegraph reveals that Oliver Robbins, the Prime Minister’s chief Brexit adviser, warned her that the backstop on customs would be a ‘bad outcome’ for the UK, and that an extended transition period would provide a ‘cast iron escape route’ instead. The letter was given to the paper by ‘a concerned minister’.

DUP threatens to withdraw support in confidence vote
The Times says that the DUP has threatened not to support Theresa May in a confidence vote, should the Brexit deal fail to get through the Commons. A source said that the party felt that the Conservatives were not keeping to the terms of the confidence-and-supply deal, by risking creating a sea border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Former attorney general rejects Government’s legal advice position
According to The Daily Telegraph, Lord Goldsmith, who served as Attorney General under Tony Blair, has said that the Government’s use of the Iraq War as precedent for keeping its legal advice on Brexit secret is wrong as the Commons never formally requested it. The Government is to publish a legal position statement today, with Attorney General Geoffrey Cox taking question from MPs.

Labour would table vote of confidence if Commons rejects deal
The Guardian says that Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that his party would almost certainly try to hold a vote of no confidence in the Government if its Brexit deal is rejected by the Commons. He said that if it couldn’t obtain a general election, it would then ‘press on to other options such as a public vote’, which should not include a no-deal Brexit as this would be too damaging.

Gove warns there’s a ‘real risk’ of another referendum
The Times reports that Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove has warned rebel Conservative MPs that there was a ‘real risk’ of a second referendum if they failed to back Theresa May’s Brexit deal, but did not rule out backing a Norway-style deal is the Commons rejected May’s. The Sun suggests that the Government has considered scrapping the vote on the deal so that May can reopen negotiations, either to extract concessions or to demonstrate that there is no better deal on offer.

Brexit TV debate dispute continues
The Guardian reports on the dispute over the proposed Brexit television debate. Several Conservative Brexiteers have written to the BBC complaining about their exclusion, while Sir Vince Cable, the Lib Dem leader, has made a similar complaint to the BBC, ITV and Sky. Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn still haven’t agreed on a format or a broadcaster.

Questions raised about Osamor following resignation
The Times reports that Sir Alistair Graham, former head of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, has claimed there are ‘questions about’ Kate Osamor’s ‘suitability to be an MP’. She stepped down as Shadow International Development Secretary at the weekend after the paper reported that she knew about her son’s conviction on drugs offences earlier than had been claimed, and she threatened one of the paper’s journalists, throwing water at him.

Javid and May in low-skilled migration disagreement
In an exclusive, The Sun says that Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Theresa May are arguing about how quickly to restrict low-skilled immigration after Brexit. Javid wants to keep the system as it is for a period, while May favours more immediate restrictions to encourage firms to recruit British workers instead.

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Today’s political headlines include 100 Tory MPs opposing May’s Brexit agreement, May rules out debating Brexit campaigners, EU prepared to give UK more time and Government relaxes doctor rules. 

100 Tory MPs now oppose Brexit agreement

The Daily Telegraph reports that a hundred Conservative MPs have now declared that they will vote against the Government’s Brexit agreement. The hundredth to declare his position was Matthew Offord, who warned that it would leave the UK ‘bound’ to the EU. The paper adds that Theresa May’s de-facto deputy David Lidington has promised the UK would follow the same single market rules as Northern Ireland if the backstop came into force, providing ‘reassurance to people that the commitment to the Union is very, very deeply felt.’

May rules out debating with Brexit campaigners

The Guardian says that Theresa May has agreed to participate on a TV debate on the Brexit deal so long as it is only against Jeremy Corbyn. Campaigners for a People’s Vote and hard Brexiteers, such as Boris Johnson, have called for their inclusion in any debate, so that a wider spectrum of views are represented. May has agreed to debate plans put forward by the BBC, but Labour prefers a proposal put forward by ITV.

EU prepared to give the UK more time to agree softer Brexit

The Times suggests that European leaders would be prepared to extend Article 50 by three months, allowing a second referendum or Norway-style Brexit to be agreed. However, this would only be offered if Parliament was clear on the form of Brexit it wanted. Yesterday, May claimed that extending Article 50 would lead to negotiations reopening and a potentially worse deal emerging.

Government relaxes limit on non-EU doctors

In an exclusive, The Guardian reports that the Government will relax rules on immigration in order to allow more non-EU medics to work in the UK under the medical training initiative, potentially increasing the cap from 1500 to 3000 and the amount of time spent in the UK as part of the scheme from two to three years.

Whips threaten to shorten Christmas break

The i claims that Conservative MPs have been warned by their whips that a defeat to the Government’s Brexit deal could lead to their Christmas break being curtailed and Parliament being recalled before the New Year. Rebels have apparently also accused whips of using ‘emotional blackmail’ and threatening that they risked Brexit not happening.

May to raise journalist’s death with Saudi crown prince

According to The Guardian, Theresa May has said that she intends to speak about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and the conflict in Yemen when she meets the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman at this weekend’s G20 summit, calling for a ‘full and transparent investigation’ into the journalist’s death, and a ‘political solution’ for Yemen.

Labour MP uses debate to reveal he’s HIV-positive

The BBC reports that Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle used a House of Commons debate to reveal that he is HIV-positive, making him the first to do so in the Commons and the second in total. He called on ministers to review cuts to sexual health budgets which were taking the country in the ‘wrong direction’, and talked about his ‘long journey’ to acceptance.

BBC defends itself against ‘fake pastor’ accusation

The Daily Mail claims that the BBC is ‘under fire’ after Lynne Hayter, an actress who claims to be a pastor but seems not to have an actual church, appeared on Newsnight to discuss Brexit, leading Lord Adonis to dub her a ‘fake pastor’. Presenter Emily Maitlis warned Adonis against becoming ‘a peddler of fake news’, while the show claimed that Hayter was a ‘genuine participant’.

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